By: Sufi Swarup
This book kept me in rapt attention from start to finish. The characters in this novel are so life-like. From the time I started reading this book till I put it down, the characters were always on my mind as if I knew them. The characterization is beautiful. Each and every character is unique. I felt as if I was reading about somebody I knew in my village. It was as if I was reading about people I cared about and was interested in seeing them happy.
It is amazing that Cheryl has dealt with all the intricacies of the relationship between a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law who are bound together by one common thing ? love for a man who is husband to one and son to the other. At first it seems as if there is absolutely no hope for these two to come to a place of reconciliation. The struggle seems so hopeless and painful. I could feel the pain as I read it. Their strained relationship becomes even more difficult because of their different cultures.
I am full of admiration for Alice who comes from a different culture and adjusts herself so well to her husband?s culture.? I also see her as a strong and sensible woman who strongly believes in relationships. She maintains an amicable relationship with all. Although her mother-in-law wants to have nothing to do with Nela, her sister-in-law, Alice keeps in touch with Nela and writes to her. She does not give up on relationships.
I was constantly reminded of the age old, meaningful theme of the ?good triumphing over the evil.? While reading the novel, I kept wondering, ?When will there be justice? Will it continue this way just because the older woman has more hold in the house and must be respected for her age?? Though, I was sad that the old woman fell ill, I was happy that Alice was finally free from her mother-in-law?s constant nagging.
The theme of forgiveness struck me so strongly as I completed the novel. Alice did not punish her mother-in-law or even rejoice at her mother-in-law?s ill health. She performed her duty and nursed her mother-in-law with Nela?s help. She is a beautiful woman in and out.
Sam brings the threads together. Although he is pampered and spoilt by his grandmother, he is sensible enough to understand that there was nothing wrong with what his aunt did. He is upset because he was not told of her existence. He does not blindly adhere to all the doctrines and teachings his grandmother gave him but truly practices love and brings the whole family together.
Shiva?s Arms is worth reading and I would recommend it to all who look for a mixture of themes in one novel. The characters are beautiful and each act because of their natural love for someone ? the mother-in-law for her son, Alice for her husband, and Nela for her lover.
?Shiva?s Arms? is a beautiful novel written by Cheryl Snell and it can be purchased from Amazon.com.
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